Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic

Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic

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28 Jul @ 5:33pm
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Description
Pskov: Brief History

Pskov is one of the oldest cities in Russia, first mentioned in 903 in connection with the legend of Princess Olga. It arose as a Krivichi fortress at the confluence of the Velikaya and Pskova rivers, becoming the western outpost of Rus'.

In the 12th-15th centuries, Pskov was the center of the veche republic, formally dependent on Novgorod, but in fact independent. It became a large trade center (a member of the Hanseatic League) and a developed craft city. The main task was to defend the borders. The powerful stone fortress (the largest in Europe by the 15th century) withstood dozens of sieges, including the onslaught of German knights.

In 1510, the veche bell was removed by order of the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily III, Pskov became part of the centralized Russian state. It retained its key military and strategic importance ("the shield of Russia"), heroically enduring the siege of Stefan Batory's troops in 1581-1582.

With the founding of St. Petersburg (1703) and the shifting of its borders, Pskov became a provincial center. The city suffered greatly in the 20th century (revolution, civil war, especially the difficult occupation of 1941-1944 during the Great Patriotic War). Restored, in 1944 it became the center of the Pskov region.

Today Pskov is an important cultural and tourist center, famous for its unique Pskov school of architecture (white-stone churches, Trinity Cathedral), powerful fortress walls and rich historical heritage.

* * *

Industry, agriculture and natural resources of Pskov (1945-1991)
After the severe destruction of the Great Patriotic War, the industry of Pskov was restored and received new development within the framework of the all-Union planned economy. The leading role was played by:

1. Mechanical engineering and radio electronics: Key enterprises:
- Pskov Electric Machine-Building Plant (PEMZ): The largest in the city, produced electric motors, transformers, consumer goods (CGM).
- ADS Plant (Automatic Telephone Exchanges): An important center for the production of communications equipment.
- Pskov Plant of Radio Components (PZRD): Element base for electronics.
- Pleskava Plant (Tyazhmash): Equipment for industry.

2. Light and food industry: The flax mill, clothing, knitwear, shoe factories, meat processing plant, dairy plant, and bakery were restored and were operating. They met the needs of the region and supplied products beyond its borders.

3. Construction industry: There were reinforced concrete factories and a brick factory that used local resources (limestone, sand).

Agriculture of the region (Pskov is the administrative center):

- Flax growing: Traditional and most important specialization of the region. Pskov region was one of the leading regions of the USSR in growing flax.
- Dairy farming: The second key industry. Developed on the basis of collective and state farms.
- Potato and vegetable growing: Were of significant importance for local consumption.
- Pig and poultry farming: Developed as a supplement to the main industries.
Key problem: Low natural fertility of the prevailing podzolic and marshy soils required large-scale melioration and high costs for fertilizers.

Natural resources of the region:

- Peat: The main local fuel. It was widely used at power plants (Pskov State District Power Plant in Dedovichi) and in agriculture (fertilizers).
- Limestones and dolomites: They were mined for the production of building materials (crushed stone, lime) and in agriculture (liming of acidic soils).
- Sands and clays: Raw materials for the construction industry (bricks, reinforced concrete products).
- Forest resources: Significant timber reserves (mainly coniferous trees). The basis of the forest industry was the procurement and processing of timber at enterprises in the region (logging enterprises, furniture factories).
- Water resources: Lakes (including Pskov-Chudskoye) and rivers were used for fishing, water supply, transport and recreation. The problem is eutrophication of lakes.
- Absence of large deposits of mineral fuels (coal, oil, gas) and metal ores.

Result: During the Soviet period, Pskov developed as an industrial and agricultural center. Industry was based on mechanical engineering and processing of local raw materials, agriculture - on flax and milk, but faced natural limitations. The resource base was modest, peat, timber, non-metallic building materials and water resources were of primary importance.
1 Comments
apavlov84  [author] 28 Jul @ 6:08pm 
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